Donald Trump and Pope Leo are far from friends. As recently as Thursday, the Holy Father criticized the “tyrants” who spend billions on war, without directly naming Trump. Meanwhile, the President of the United States has issued a nuclear warning regarding Iran and said he refuses to meet with Pope Leo.
Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV have been exchanging criticism over the past week. Vice President JD Vance has also entered the discussion, warning the Holy Father earlier this week about being too outspoken on “matters of theology.”
President Donald Trump previously said the pope was soft on crime and added that he does not like him. At the same time, Pope Leo is currently on a tour in Africa, where he issued strong criticism of “tyrants” who spend billions on war.
Earlier on Thursday, U.S. bishops voiced full support for Pope Leo. The American-born pontiff did not mention Donald Trump by name, but his speech in Cameroon on Thursday was clearly aimed at world leaders who use religion to justify violence against other nations.
“Woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth,” Leo said while speaking at St. Joseph Cathedral in Bamenda, Cameroon, according to The Guardian.
Donald Trump issues nuclear warning to Pope Leo
“They turn a blind eye to the fact that billions of dollars are spent on killing and devastation, yet the resources needed for healing, education and restoration are nowhere to be found.”
Pope Leo added: “The world is being ravaged by a handful of tyrants, yet it is held together by a multitude of supportive brothers and sisters.”
Now, Donald Trump has delivered fresh criticism of Pope Leo, alongside a warning related to Iran’s nuclear program. Speaking to reporters outside the White House on Thursday, he said he would not be meeting the Holy Father and stressed concerns over Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
“It’s very important that the Pope understands… Iran killed 42,000 people that were totally unarmed. They were protesters. Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. If they did… every single country in the world would be in trouble,” Trump said.
He added that he has “nothing against the pope,” but that “I have to do what’s right.”
“I’m not fighting with him. The pope made a statement. He says Iran can have a nuclear weapon. I say Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,” Trump continued.
Trump falsely claims Pope Leo said Iran can have a nuclear weapon
The claim by Donald Trump that Pope Leo said Iran can have nuclear weapons is not true. In fact, the Holy Father has repeatedly condemned nuclear weapons and called on countries to abandon them.
In June last year, the pope said: “The situation in Iran and Israel has deteriorated gravely, and in such a delicate moment, I would like to renew strongly an appeal to responsibility and reason. The commitment to creating a safer world, free from the nuclear threat, should be pursued through respectful encounter and sincere dialogue, to build a lasting peace, based on justice, fraternity and the common good.”
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